172nd Airlift Wing Flight Nurse Awarded Bronze Star Medal

Story by Senior Airman Shardae McAfee

172nd Airlift Wing

Lt. Col. Jayde Sharp, a flight nurse with the 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Jackson, Mississippi, received the Bronze Star Medal for his exceptional medical skills, courage under fire, dedication and personal sacrifice to save lives during the U.S. armed forces withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan, August 2021.

“This Bronze Star Medal belongs to us – the 183rd AES and the 172nd Airlift Wing family,” said Sharp. “Without the training and support of members from leadership to instructors and ground troops, I would not have been shaped into the flyer that I am to make a difference.”

Sharp stated that receiving the Bronze Star is appreciated, but the reward at the end of the day is knowing his actions saved lives with the true heroes being the 13 fallen service members.

During Sharp’s deployment in Kabul, he initially served as the Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Team Officer in Charge, training personnel on forward operating bases. However, his role changed the night of an explosive attack leading to a mass casualty event.

“The night of August 26, 2021 is a night that I will never forget,” said Sharp. “Anytime you hear mass casualty over the intercom, your adrenaline starts pumping because you never know what’s coming through the door.”

Without regard to his safety, Sharp immediately ran outside to receive the wounded, triaging and stabilizing patients. He also maintained communication with the Theatre Patient Movement Requirement Center, Aeromedical Evacuation Control Team, and Role II medical staff to facilitate Aeromedical Evacuation transport and evacuation to an awaiting C-17 aircraft.

“As a flight nurse in aeromedical evacuation, we can be called to do more things than just being a flight nurse, such as ground duties, flight duties as well as other duties,” said Col. Terri D. Neely, 183rd AES Commander during Sharp’s deployment. “Col. Sharp’s dedication went beyond duty. He not only utilized his nursing skills, but was simultaneously coordinating with other bases for patient transport, securing extra supplies, and even arranging additional blood donations.”

Despite losing 13 heroes and over 160 civilians, NATO forces worked together to save lives and bring our brothers and sisters in arms home safely.

Our Air National Guard Flight nurses maintain flexibility with their life saving skills to operate in austere environments and perform medical evacuations knowing conditions can change in the blink of an eye.

“I joined the 183rd AES and the 172nd Airlift Wing to make a difference and help people even on their worst days,” said Sharp. “As a flight nurse, I’m honored to serve and work with some of the finest individuals while taking care of our true American heroes who put their lives on the line to defend this great country at a moment’s notice.”

“Colonel Sharp exemplifies exceptional leadership both in his family and for the Mississippi Air National Guard,” said Neely. “His enthusiasm and passion for the military coupled with his family’s unwavering support, love and commitment to the military contributes to what enables him to lead with excellence for our Wing and while he’s away from home.”